UK Economics Chart Pack Retailers losing their nerve After a sluggish start to high street spending over the festive period, retailers appear to be losing their nerve and engaging in more widespread price discounting. And prospects for next year are not... 20th December 2012 · 1 min read
UK Data Response Retail Sales (Nov.) The unchanged level of retail sales volumes in November suggested that consumers are keeping their purse strings fairly tightly fastened in the run-up to Christmas. 20th December 2012 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response German Ifo Survey (Dec.) December’s small rise in the German Ifo business survey is moderately encouraging news. But the index still points to economic stagnation in the near term. 19th December 2012 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update 2012: Day of reckoning postponed by the ECB Our fears that 2012 could be the “crunch year” for the euro-zone were not borne out – barring catastrophe in the next week or so! However, the fact that the economic news has been largely as we... 18th December 2012 · 1 min read
US Economics Update Small firms and high-income households more downbeat The recent falls in sentiment of small businesses and high-earning consumers highlight that the fiscal cliff stand-off is weighing on activity. But the resulting hit to the economy may not be too... 18th December 2012 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Update What the LDP win means for Japan's economy As had been widely expected, Sunday’s election has returned the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan to power after a three-year absence. We can expect a two-pronged assault on deflation with significant... 17th December 2012 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Weekly Priorities for the new government At the time of writing, the outcome of the 16th December Lower House election is not yet clear. However, the dire Q4 Tankan survey, released on Friday, underlined the scale of the challenges facing... 17th December 2012 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Weekly What will Korea's election mean for its economy? A presidential election will take place in Korea on Wednesday. Despite the political differences between the two frontrunners, their economic policies have much in common. As such, we think the... 17th December 2012 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Update What to expect from the ANC Elective Conference News that South Africa’s deputy president Kgalema Motlanthe will challenge incumbent president Jacob Zuma for the leadership of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) has added an extra layer of... 13th December 2012 · 1 min read
US Data Response Retail Sales & Producer Prices (Nov. 12) November’s retail sales figures didn’t alter our view that consumption is struggling to find momentum. With consumer confidence now falling, hopes that retailers would enjoy a robust holiday shopping... 13th December 2012 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Reforms needed to prevent rise in India's public debt ratio A combination of rapid economic growth and low bond yields has resulted in a gradual decline in India’s public debt ratio since 2003. But the debt ratio will rise again in the coming years if the... 13th December 2012 · 1 min read
China Economics Update First test of new leadership's appetite for reform The release later this month of government proposals to reduce income inequality will provide early evidence of whether a change of leadership in Beijing has given new momentum to economic reform. The... 13th December 2012 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Focus Kenya: testing times, but brighter outlook beyond next year Our new GDP Tracker for Kenya suggests that the economy has picked up a little pace in the second half of 2012, but that growth remains subdued by recent standards. Looking ahead, the combination of a... 12th December 2012 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Chavez's absence adds to the uncertainty in Venezuela Venezuelan economic policy looks set to remain in limbo until the future of the President Hugo Chávez is resolved. Devaluation of the bolivar, which we had expected early next year, may be delayed... 10th December 2012 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Update Ghana: incumbent victory reinforces positive outlook Allegations of vote rigging have clouded the general election in Ghana, but these shouldn’t undermine the overall positive impact that victory for incumbent president John Dramani Mahama should... 10th December 2012 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Italy back in the spotlight The intended resignation of Italian technocrat Prime Minister Mario Monti is a timely reminder thatthe euro-zone debt crisis still goes way beyond the problems of Greece. 10th December 2012 · 1 min read
